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THE EARWIG, FORFICULA SENEGALENSIS OF
KATSINA CITY, NIGERIA

Abstract

Two hundred adults of Forficula senegalensis were collected from five wards of Katsina metropolis, the capital city of Katsina State, Nigeria, between September 5th and November 5th, 2013. The specimens were then kept in transparent round plastic containers of 4 cm height and 6 cm diameter in the laboratory at temperatures ranging from 33°C to 44°C. The adults were anesthetized with formalin and pinned before being displayed in the museum of the Biology department of the Federal College of Education, Katsina. Pinned adults were photographed with a Samsung E15 digital camera. Adults were identified as Forficula senegalensis Audinet- Serville, 1839 based on comparison with plates on The Earwig Research Centre. The average body length of a male is 6.8 mm and that of a female is 8.7 mm on the other hand the average length of head of a male was 1.3 mm and that of a female was 1.6 mm. The most distinguishing structure of the males is the cerci which are also curved while the cerci of a female are straight. The species of earwigs present in Katsina State, Nigeria is Forficula senegalensis. This finding is important because earwigs can be used to control certain pests.